{"id":137523,"date":"2026-06-09T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/#article-202342"},"modified":"2026-06-09T18:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:00:00","slug":"reaction-a-direct-that-picked-up-pace-for-a-breathtaking-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2026\/06\/09\/reaction-a-direct-that-picked-up-pace-for-a-breathtaking-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"Reaction: A Direct That Picked Up Pace For A Breathtaking Finish"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/span> Image: Nintendo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Look, I love<\/em> Rhythm Heaven<\/a>, but I understand why you’d frontload your niche little Switch 1 swansong in the biggest Nintendo Direct since September last year.<\/p>\n

First-party-wise, that was followed up by some Pok\u00e9mon Pokopia<\/a> update and DLC<\/a>, then another look at Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave<\/a> with a September date. A limited-time Switch Online DK Challenge event<\/a> gave Switch 1 owners some more love before the one, two, three, four<\/em>-punch Xenoblade<\/strong> combo that saw Chronicles 1<\/a>, 2<\/a>, and 3<\/a> get Switch 2 Editions and a new entry \u2014 Xenoblade Genesis<\/a> \u2014 announced. Bonza!<\/p>\n

That segued directly into Nintendo Switch Sports Resort<\/a>, whereby Koizumi-san gave us all a blessed break while he declared a thumb war for what felt like five minutes. Following a few more third-party reveals, the cursory mention of the upcoming Star Fox<\/a> came with news of a demo that’s out right now, and Splatoon Raiders<\/a> soon got its nod, too (although no demo for that one, yet – all eyes on that standalone Splatoon Direct)<\/a>, along with some new Joy-Con colours.<\/p>\n

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None more blue \u2014 <\/span> Image: Nintendo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And yet somehow, even with all that, it still felt ‘one last thing’ was needed; fortunately, Nintendo didn’t disappoint. Even the leaks and rumours couldn’t really spoil the narrated reveal that tastefully retold the opening moments of Ocarina of Time<\/a>. We’ve seen almost nothing, but that “2026” means there must be more \u2014 a lot<\/em> more coming very soon.<\/p>\n

And going back over all the third-party games announced \u2014 big ones, too \u2014 it’s difficult to call that direct anything but a triumph. They kept up the pace with big’un after big’un from the beginning. Lots of known quantities, sure, but that’s been the case with Switch 2 since launch and it’s unlikely to change.<\/p>\n

And amongst the knowns, there were a couple of surprises, too, in Vanillaware’s Muramasa<\/a> returning in Revenant Blades<\/a> (also on Switch 1) and Final Fantasy Resonance<\/a> bringing the HD-2D style to that particular series for the first time. The original Pikuniku<\/a> was great, happy to have a sequel. And although we all knew Kingdom Hearts 4<\/a> existed, I’m sure a few hearts skipped a beat at that one, too.<\/p>\n

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No Wave Race for you \u2014 <\/span> Image: Nintendo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As for the knowns, it would be churlish to complain. Non-Cloud versions of Kingdom Hearts 1.793 + Pi Re;Curring<\/a> and sequels? Lovely. Rise of the Tomb Raider<\/a> shadow-drop? Downloaded. A glimpse of The Duskbloods<\/a>? Have it. Metaphor: ReFantazio<\/a>, RuneScape: Dragonwilds<\/a>, Lies of P<\/a>, Stellar Blade<\/a>, DMC 5<\/a>, Big Walk<\/a>, Onimusha<\/a>, Dragon’s Dogma 2<\/a>…? Yes, yes, yes.<\/p>\n

There were a couple of moments that had me raising an eyebrow, but looking back that was a strong showing that summed up the Switch 2 experience quite well for me: an absolute cavalcade of quality \u2014 too much to any normal person with eclectic tastes to keep up with (or afford!), but not much genuinely new<\/em> to sink your teeth into.<\/p>\n

As for the closing game, I’m hoping for something radical \u2014 a Capcom-style overhaul that totally reimagines a classic from the ground up. There may be merits to giving Ocarina a Star Fox-style modern paintover while keeping 1998’s Hyrule the same underneath, but a game this special surely deserves more.<\/p>\n

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<\/span> Image: Nintendo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overall, Nintendo needed to lay out its plans for the rest of the year, and from first- and third-party perspectives, it’s job done – you can’t argue with that lineup, even if I’m still jonesing for some unknown unknowns. Roll on summer.<\/p>\n

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How would you rate the June 2026 Nintendo Direct, on a scale of 1-10? (950 votes)<\/h3>\n
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  1. 10 – Outstanding<\/strong>16<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. 9 – Excellent<\/strong>17<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. 8 – Great<\/strong>18<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. 7 – Good<\/strong>15<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. 6 – Not Bad<\/strong>8<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. 5 – Average<\/strong>9<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  7. 4 – Poor<\/strong>7<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  8. 3 – Bad<\/strong>4<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  9. 2 – Terrible<\/strong>3<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  10. 1 – Abysmal<\/strong>3<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  11. … I still haven’t watched it<\/strong> <\/span> 0.2%<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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